Species account

Kløverblåfugl (Glaucopsyche alexis)    Poda (1761)
   Blåfugle (Lycaenidae)    GUBL    24861
Green-underside Blue (gb)   Alexis (es)   Klöverblåvinge (se)  
Subspecies
alexis
S and C Europe and Siberia.
schneideri
Strand (1903) - Norway, Sweden and Finland.
lachieri
Milliére (1887) - The Carpathians.
lugens
Caradja (1893) - Caucasus.
melanoposmater
Verity (1928) - Algeria and Tunesia.
Measurements:
WS: 26-37mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
Rather large. Males above look like icarus (Almindelig Blåfugl) but has a wider black rim to both wings. The female has a broad diffuse black rim along the outer margin of the forewings, and extensive diffuse black along the frontal part of the hindwing. Below both sexes show a rather clean grayish base color with large black spots encircled with white on the forewing and much smaller similar spots on the hindwing. The basal part of the hindwing shows a bluish turquoise color characteristic for the species.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Algeria, Tunesia, Europe, C Asia to Amur.
Habitat:
Various environments with a warm microclimate. Eroded rock surfaces, also in forests, meadows and fields.
Behavior:
Strong flight and often challenges other species when meeting. Flies somewhat like argiolus (Skovblåfugl) why can be mistaken for it if not seen well.

The species follows an ant-related larvae symbiosis.
Status:
Accidental in Denmark. 2 records from 1957 and 1987. Scarce in Sweden and more so in both Norway and Finland.
Host plants:
Nordic region:
Muse-Vikke (Vicia cracca) [Tufted Vetch ~ Arveja Silvestre ~ Kråkvicker]
Sød Astragel (Astragalus glycyphyllos) [Liquorice Milkvetch ~ Orozuz Falso ~ Sötvedel]
Almindelig Kællingetand (Lotus corniculatus) [Bird's-foot Trefoil ~ Loto Corniculado ~ Käringtand]

Central Europe:
Farve-visse (Genista tinctoria) [Dyer's Greenweed ~ Hiniesta de Tintes ~ Färgginst]
Segl-Sneglebælg (Medicago falcata) [Yellow Alfalfa ~ Alfalfa Amarilla ~ Foderlusern]
Mark-Stenkløver (Melilotus officinalis) [Sweet Yellow Clover ~ Trébol de Olor Amarillo ~ Gul sötväppling]
Hvid Stenkløver (Melilotus albus) [Honey Clover ~ Trébol de Olor Blanco ~ Vit sötväppling]

Comment:
parandes? form check for details
Green-underside Blue 1495    (2 photos)
2023-06-05    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago
Not sure of sex here, but a more typical underwing pattern than in 1494.



Green-underside Blue 1494    (2 photos)
2023-06-05    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago Han
Another target species for the trip; found here and there in forest environment.

The hindwing spotting is highly variable it seems. Here almost non-existing.




Green-underside Blue 1496    (2 photos)
2023-06-05    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago Han
We saw 5 singletons in different spots making it the best locality for the species on the trip. But it is probably widespread.



Green-underside Blue 1532    (2 photos)
2023-06-06    Getå (Norrköping), Sweden

Imago Han
Behind Villa Fridhem.




Green-underside Blue 1570    (2 photos)
2023-06-07    Valdemarsvik (Östergötland), Sweden

Imago Han
Very worn, but the underside spots are just visible for good id.



Green-underside Blue 1616    (3 photos)
2023-06-08    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago Han